By Adam BenzineIn some respects, we have Dustin Hoffman and Mike Nichols to thank for the gift that was John Kastner. From 1978’s Emmy-winning breast cancer investigation Four Women, made for the CBC’s current affairs unit The Fifth Estate, through to his final trilogy of groundbreaking mental-health films, Kastner produced a stunning repertoire of bold, thought-provoking documentaries. “He made films that were absolutely visceral and so emotional, and that at their strongest were almost unbearable,” reflects John’s nephew Jamie Kastner, who is also a documentarian. “He was tenacious, strong-willed,” recalls Bob Culbert, the former VP of documentaries at CTV, who worked closely with Kastner. But he was very good at changing people’s minds on controversial topics.”“Johnny managed to make you question your basic assumptions,” adds sister Susan Kastner, a journalist, producer and former Toronto Star columnist.

Source: National Post December 04, 2019 20:26 UTC